LONDON – Frank Lampard admitted Chelsea will need time to close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after the champions laid down an early-season marker with a 2-0 win on Sunday.
Sadio Mane did all the damage for Jurgen Klopp’s men as he provoked a red card for Andreas Christensen late in the first-half before scoring twice four minutes in the second period.
Chelsea spent £200 million (RM1 billion) in the transfer market to cut into the 33-point gap between the sides last season, but the decision to invest most in forwards rather than addressing more urgent defensive needs was badly exposed on another afternoon for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Lampard was able to name just two of his new signings; Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, in the starting line-up with Ben Chilwell and Hakim Ziyech injured and experienced centre-back Thiago Silva lacking match fitness.
Lampard, who could not make any signings in his first transfer window last year due to a transfer ban, said, “Last year we couldn’t do much business so we worked and worked and worked to come forth.”
“Our objectives, our expectations are higher, but we will take some time.”
- ‘I loved it’-
Victory takes Liverpool level on points with Everton, Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the top of the table as the only sides with maximum points from their opening two games.
Even before the red card, visitors showed they will take some shifting as champions this season.
“That’s what we have to show all the time,” said Klopp. “It’s really important that we show ourselves. I saw us today and I loved it.”
A lack of defensive reinforcements was obvious in Lampard’s game plan as the Chelsea sat back and tried to protect a backline that conceded 54 league goals last season in a cagey first-half.
But the hosts’ good defensive work was undone seconds before the break as Mane raced onto Jordan Henderson’s ball over the top and was hauled down by Christensen.
Referee Paul Tierney initially only showed a yellow card but overturned his decision after viewing the incident on a pitchside monitor and Christensen was dismissed.
“I even told him: ‘my friend it’s a red card’,” Mane told Sky Sports.
Liverpool has been busy this week with Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota becoming their first major signings for two years.
Klopp instantly called for Thiago to make his debut at half-time in place of the injured Henderson and it took just five minutes in the second half to make the breakthrough.
- ‘a clear mistake’ -
Chelsea’s spending spree is not yet over with Edouard Mendy set to join from Rennes as Lampard’s patience with Kepa, who cost a world record £72 million (RM384 million) for a goalkeeper two years ago, exhausted.
Liverpool’s second will only have confirmed the former England midfielder’s decision as Kepa’s casual pass was intercepted by Mane, who then turned the ball into an empty net.
“I’ve got to try and give him confidence because a goalkeeper absolutely relies on confidence, but it's a clear mistake,” added Lampard.
Alisson Becker’s record as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper lasted just three weeks in 2018 between his move from Roma to Liverpool and Chelsea paying Kepa’s buyout clause from Athletic Bilbao.
But the Brazilian has justified his £67 million (RM357 million) price tag, winning the Champions League and Premier League over the past two seasons and producing a big save when Liverpool needed it.
Thiago did not have a perfect debut as he conceded a penalty for clipping Werner’s legs as he burst into the area.
Jorginho’s stutter-step run-up has fooled many a goalkeeper in the past, but Alisson held his ground before diving low to his left to save. – AFP, September 21, 2020
